29967: LUCAS: (Q&A) with the Inter-American Dialogue on MINUSTAH (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Stanley Lucas <maloukwi@yahoo.com>

INTER-AMERICAN DIALOGUE
Latin America Advisor
Q&A with Stanley Lucas* on MINUSTAH
www.thedialogue.org
  Question of the Inter-American Dialogue: Edmond Mulet, head of the UN 
Stabilization Mission in Haiti, or MINUSTAH, said last week that Haiti has made 
some strides in the past year, pointing to improvements in dealing with 
violence and rampant crime. What other improvements do you see in Haiti?

  Stanley Lucas’ Response: For real progress, I would actually point to the 
strong development of the NGOs working in the health area in Haiti to provide 
effective services needed by thousands of Haitians. There is good partnership 
and ownership of the program by the private and public sector. Haitians are 
leading the initiative and have really stepped up to make a difference in this 
area.  It is remarkable.

  Question of the Inter-American Dialogue: Where has the international 
community failed?

Stanley Lucas’ Response: This is the sixth United Nations mission to Haiti in 
less than 10 years at the request of the Lavalas party. Previous missions and 
the current missions have failed in two areas: 1) holding the Haitian 
government accountable to follow through on their promises to bring stability 
to the country; and 2) not taking into account the nine principles of 
reconstruction and development proposed by Andrew Natsios.   These principles, 
including ownership, capacity building, sustainability, selectivity, 
assessment, results, partnership, flexibility, and accountability, should serve 
as a checklist against all programs that are developed to target issues in 
Haiti.

  Question of the Inter-American Dialogue: How much longer do you think 
MINUSTAH will be needed in Haiti?"

Stanley Lucas’ Response: The length of MINUSTAH's tenure lies squarely in the 
hands of the Haitian government and its ability to bring about real stability. 
Currently, MINUSTAH's strategy is not to strengthen institutions and build 
capacity; rather, they are managing the process themselves versus giving the 
Haitians the tools to build a sustainable system. Haiti deserves better.

  *Stanley Lucas www.solutionshaiti.blogspot.com has extensive experience in 
political party development and democracy building projects internationally. 
Most recently, he has worked in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa, Latin 
America and the Caribbean. Lucas is currently Executive Director of the 
Washington Democracy Project.  See also contributions by Mark Schneider, James 
Morrell and Eddie Lagroue at www.thedialogue.com or www.haitipolicy.org


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